RTA Statement on passage of Senate Bill 2111

The passage of SB2111 is a landmark moment for public transit in Illinois. This bill provides the stable funding and governance reforms needed to protect transit service for the millions who ride CTA, Metra, and Pace-and the thousands of frontline workers who keep our region moving.

Riders want transit that is safe, reliable, and frequent. This transformational investment of more than $1 billion in new operating funding lays the groundwork to improve service, shorten travel times, and enhance rider experience across the region. The bill also changes the region's transit governance, transitioning the RTA to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) and creating new requirements to coordinate service, plan strategically, and better support riders.

We are grateful to leaders including Governor JB Pritzker, Representative Eva-Dina Delgado, Representative Kam Buckner, and Senator Ram Villivalam for their commitment to this issue over the past several years. We also want to thank the tireless members of the advocate community, our labor partners, and especially riders, whose voices have ensured that transit will not only survive but thrive.

We are continuing to review the bill and will share more in the days ahead, including how this impacts the 2026 budget process. But today marks a turning point: A commitment to the stronger, more seamless transit system the Chicago region deserves.

Statement PDF